The Bodies "F" Bombs and Large Mothers

Things started heading south for me at Big Bear a couple weeks ago. Plug pulled after 3 laps, no energy, no power, no nothing. I had a couple days where my body just was not perking up and I had some thoughts that I MIGHT be getting sick due to brief sore throats, etc. But it went away, I started riding/"training" again and tried move on.

This past weekend I found myself having some good rides, but I in no way had the spankyness that I had a couple weeks ago. Saturday I found myself oozing goo out of my left eye. Got me some Pink Eye. Then by the end of Sunday's 40 miles I was way more tired than I usually am after a 40 mile road ride. So off to the Docs I went yesterday medication to rid me of spunk eye. Today I wake up today and the Pink Eye slightly better but now I have a sore throat and the Pink Eye has jumped ship to my right eye. I THINK my body might be telling my something. And I think it's "F*ck you Jason".

Today I still headed out to work with all my bike gear and my Campeon ready for a post work road session. Through the a.m. the sore throat never left, I was dragging ass, and I could hear hear the "f*ck you Jason" coming very clearly from my body again. So I finished up some work, sent out some proofs and came home to bed for few hours. The rest did me some good, and I'm anxious to return to slumber tonight. A ride will not be happening. I've heard my body drop enough "F" bombs at me today.

The past month has been sort of a junk kicker. Mentally and physically. It started with my back, missing the M.A.S.S. race, Big Bear's Suck Fest, Sore throats, Pink Eye, and another sore throat. I went through the entire winter with no injuries and no illnesses. Now I find myself stuck on a treadmill of suck.

Another day off the bike will be fine. Get these eyes goo free, and the throat feeling good. I really have the mental mojo going for the Cranky Monkey. A couple weeks ago that's something I really didn't think I'd have. Now I just need some quality rest, vitamins and some good food and hydration to get my bod's mojo back on track.

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It was pretty cool to finally see Salsa's new rig- "The Big Mama". Looks like it should be a hit, with some neat features. The Mamasita is of course their light as hell, go fast bike, XC bike, and the Dos Niner (in my opinion) is the ultimate endurance racing 29er, so I think I bike with 4" of travel and will really help pull together the line up from Salsa.
I used to use the El Santo for Solos in '05 & '06. It was a great bike, but I found the lure of 29" and the Mamasita too strong, so it had to go. The Big Mama looks like it could be refined, 29" version of the El Santo. I'll be anxious to hear feedback from folks when the Sol Sessions are over and see what if they feel the Grande Madre would handle well and could built light enough to be considered for 12 & 24 solo racing.

The Big Mama Complete (available January 2009) is estimated at 29.5 pound for a medium. Looking at the parts and wheels in the complete build, while all solid and reliable, are a bit heavy. I would think if one were building up the frame using different wheels, brakes, and a few other components than those listed on the complete bike, the Mama could get down a couple more pounds easily. Very interesting.

Check out the Salsa website, which has now been updated to include the Big Mama, and check out all the bike geek techy info and and animations so as to be fluent in the language of The Big Mama. Check out the Amigos Blog too to see how the bike progressed over the past several months.

DOWNLOAD 29 PAGE BIG MAMA PDF: HERE

Time to take my oozing eyes and sore throat away to throw down some green tea. Or a beer. It's really at toss up at this point. Physical well being or short term mental happiness? Hmmmmm. 7:35 P.M. EDIT: When in doubt, have both. :)

Later.